Friday, May 25, 2012

When Dreading that Ending Feeling

Finishing
a semester of study had us all contemplating the future. The group was being
disbanded, and some would flow on into the next semester, but some would
inevitably drop out or leave town. One member of the group had had a spark of
inspiration to bring along some muffins and chocolates to share. Some of the
group were saddened by thought of the end, but most were quite cheery, and some
even took risks in communicating their love and fondness for the group and
their experiences.

Endings can be difficult things.
Certainly, endings to marriages and certain outcomes relating to appointments can
end badly. Death is the worst end of all.

But some endings are welcome. For
some, the end paves the way for an important beginning. New things are allowed
to emerge. New possibilities lie available.

Endings bring both death and life.
Most of all they bring change.

What Kind Of Ending Person Am I?

Perhaps the best opportunity we
have in approaching an important end is our observation of how we feel about
such a thing.

Some endings, where our lives are
literally blown open to the exposure of harsh winds and driving rain, cannot be
reflected upon, just simply endured. The process of grief, through the
paralysis of an ending, takes us to stark places of the spirit that may even be
unbearable. No analysis is required in such a situation. We must just be.

But there are many more endings
that we can learn from, and that may give us an appreciation for what things
have meant to us. Sometimes we haven’t reflected enough to understand. The
ending, therefore, might facilitate an important revelation.

The ending might compel us to
communicate something special or significant. The ending might cause us to risk
just enough to tell someone how we really feel. The ending, strictly from
hindsight, might be seen as a crucial step in our lives.

Endings, furthermore, can be seen
as a necessary function in the development of skills in the letting go so we
may acquire the new thing.

The problem comes when a good
thing has ended and it is to be replaced by a not-so-good thing. Then we
struggle with a sense of hopelessness. Sometimes we cannot see the good beyond
the thing we must let go of. But it’s surprising how often our pessimism might
betray the reality.

As one door slams closed new doors
are destined to open. This is when faith is necessary. To hope for something
yet not visible. Endings, therefore, help to enliven our faith, by giving us
the opportunity to
practice hope.

***

Endings can be dreadfully hard. At
the end we struggle to find sight for hope. Yet, the end is an opportunity for
a new beginning. When we are ready a new path may be paved.